first principle

noun

A basic, foundational proposition or assumption that cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption.

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Meanings

nounfirst principle (plural first principles)

plural first principles

  1. A basic, foundational proposition or assumption that cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption.
Cite this entry
APA

first principle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20principle

MLA

“first principle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20principle. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “first principle,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20principle.

Source: first principle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.